Draw near and listen. Robert "Bob" Delano Lewis, 75, of Springfield, Missouri, has passed away. Many have come before him, and many will come after, but few will compare.

Born October 14, 1946, in the misty Ozark hills to Justin Owen Lewis Sr. and Grace (McNeill) Lewis, he was the third of three children to the loving couple.

After graduating Neosho High School, and Southwest Missouri State University, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. Upon returning, he met the love of his life, Lesbia "Lisa" Lewis (Florez) in 1971 and married soon after. The couple had three children: Alex Christopher (married to Christine), Ian Arthur (married to Emily), and Anthony Matthew (married to Stephanie). Bob and Lisa took great pride watching them grow from loving children to accomplished adults.

In 1977, Bob earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law – Kansas City. He wore many hats over his nearly 40 years of legal practice: Jackson and Greene County prosecutor; civil practitioner; and criminal defense attorney. He served his clients and practiced law with joie de vivre that was uniquely him. He earned a reputation of honesty and high ethical standards, winning him the respect of his colleagues and his adversaries.

During his practice, he also spent his time coaching little league baseball, growing tomatoes and fruit trees, and reading epic novels. He spoke Spanish and taught himself French. He enjoyed bold wine, strong coffee, bawdy jokes, and the Kansas City Royals. He thought of others, he was kind, and became a friend and mentor to many.

His favorite hat to wear was when he became "Paps" to Olivia, Claire, Joseph, Zachary, Mila, and Jackson. This new generation will always remember his unending love.

He would also want mentioned, in this last summary of his life, that he held close to his heart his nephews, nieces, and so many unrelated who called him "Paps" or "Coach Bob".

He retired from the practice of law and found a new love in carpentry, viticulture, and book editing. He lived the way he wanted and died in a manner that should be envied: surrounded by those who loved him, listening to his Beatles.

If we can impart a little of Paps's wisdom, it would be the following:

"Your only worth as much as your name, so don't do anything to tarnish it."

"Be happy for the good fortune of others."

"No matter what, when you walk into a room, walk in like you own the damn place."

To end this obituary in the most fitting way for this man, we will give you a quote from one of his favorite books:

"Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our fellowship in middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil."

Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in Eastlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, he would like you to do the world a favor and send money to your local NPR station.